Uri Buri
Business of the Month: Uri Buri
How A Bearded Man Was Able to Put Akko on the Map and Change the Restaurant Scene
Ask anybody about the best restaurants in Israel. They will tell you about a bearded man who goes by the name Uri Buri. Uri Jeremias is one of Israel's most celebrated restauranteurs; Uri Buri has impacted beyond the restaurant scene thanks to his unyielding dedication to Akko, a port city in northwest Israel. Uri Buri's restaurant has been named one of the best restaurants in the world and number one in the Middle East by Trip Advisor in 2020.
Of course, that's to be expected for someone with extreme expertise in handling fish and local ingredients to create intoxicating medleys of taste that are unparalleled. But it's his deep commitment and connection to building on the pillars and culture of Akko that make this restaurant truly special.
At Uri Buri, you will find a combination of Jews and Arabs working side-by-side, both languages flowing as a natural part of this seaside gem's cacophony and eclectic style. Buri has dedicated his life to building deeper connections between Jews and Arabs, living side by side, a goal that matches his deep desire to put Akko on the map as a tourist city like no other.
Unsurprisingly for a man of his stature, he knows everyone in the winding pebble stone streets of Akko. Follow him, and you'll notice he effortlessly switches between ahlan in Arabic to shalom in Hebrew as he greets people on the street. In addition, he built the Effendi Hotel, a stunningly luxurious boutique hotel with a beautiful terrace and panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea from Haifa to Rosh Hanikra. With a knight’s table and gorgeous Ottoman period details, this hotel has brought people from all walks of life to visit Akko.
Buri's dedication to Akko and encouraging a harmonious, side-by-side multicultural Arab-Jewish city has no limits. Even in times of incredible turmoil, when extremists burned down his restaurant, Buri showed no anger as you might expect. Instead, he decided to move forward, renovating and rebuilding rather than letting a terrible situation affect his relationships and views on life between the intertwined Arab and Jewish roots of Akko. So many restaurants in Israel make restaurant lists like Uri Buri. Still, none provide such an excellent opportunity to savor a city on a cultural and culinary level as Uri Buri. Akko is a must-visit city on any trip to Israel, a place where you can gorge on the day's catch while gaining a deep cultural understanding of the picturesque surroundings. All this, with the stunning sea and port as your backdrop.